Warwick Town site in Newport News on endangered historical site list

NEWPORT NEWS — The city landed on a Top 10 list, but this one probably won't be in one of the city's promotional brochures.

Preservation Virginia listed the Warwick Town site at City Farm as one of the 10 most endangered historical sites in the state.

Elizabeth Kostelny, Preservation Virginia's executive director, said the group was concerned that the property would succumb to development. Several years ago, city officials discussed a mixed-use development for the 58-acre site where the City Farm minimum-security prison is located.

Although there's currently no talk about developing the Menchville Road site, it is prime, vacant property overlooking the James River.

Kostelny said it's better to publicize the historical significance of the site now, rather than wait until development pressures materialize.

"It's a way to really bring more awareness to preservation issues, and spurring local efforts on ideas for preservation," Kostelny said.

Warwick Town formed in the early 1600s shortly after Jamestown was settled. Newport News City Manager Neil Morgan said City Farm, built in 1917, probably sits on top of what was Warwick Town.

"No question, it was an early village on the bluff where the prison sits now," Morgan said. "I don't think in the long-term there should be a prison there."

Morgan said whatever eventually happens to City Farm, he believes the city should convert the waterfront area to a park. City Farm currently sits next to Riverview Farm Park.

Morgan said the area has been the subject of archeological digs, which have recovered artifacts from the time period.

Dr. John Dawson, a nearby resident interested in preserving the site, said there is much untapped potential for Warwick Town.

"Really, it's a national heritage site. It's a very famous place and it should be preserved in a big way," Dawson said. "More needs to be done."

"This could be a major tourism site," Dawson said.

The City Farm site is also known as a location where Native Americans lived, and contains Civil War earthwork formations.

Warwick Town

Warwick Town, an early 1600s settlement at the site where the City Farm minimum-security prison is now located, was listed this year by Preservation Virginia as one of the Top 10 endangered historical sites in Virginia.